The Nazis used these camps for
various activities as hostage, labour, prisoner-of-war, re-education, transit
and extermination camps. It was in some of these extermination camps that they
systemically killed off people, most especially the Jews in what is known as the Holocaust.

Feeling the presence of pain

Now, I have never
visited any of these places, but in 2007, I visited Pawiak Prison in Warsaw and that
experience still lives with me, for I am of the opinion that where innocent
blood is shed, there is always a memorial of feeling and uneasiness that
beclouds that place.

However, what
struck me more about the Nazi setup was their attention to detail that created
a bureaucracy of such efficiency that the particularity of things they documented
just took your breath away.

The two
superimposed triangles in the sign of the Star of David depicted
Jews, typically yellow but could have other colours signifying Jew and another
offender category.

That we may never forget.

The most important
lesson to learn from this and in that understand why World War II was fought
and won for our liberty, freedom and acceptance of difference and diversity is
in the many memorials that say as shown on that sign, “Orte Des Schreckens, Die Wir Niemals Vergessen Dürfen.” This
roughly translates to, “The Places of
Horror, That We May Never Forget.”

They who have no
history and keep no memorials are destined to repeat history, those reminded of
the horrific past are quicker to embrace the greater good of humanity and human
existence.

More correctly, “Those
who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana or “Those
who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.” Edmund Burke.

We speak of history
because there is a burden of truth we must carry for the present in order to
secure a future of peace and happiness.